Check water before swimming

23/12/2009 | Check water before swimming

A recent Red Health Risk alert at the Foxton River Loop is a reminder that some recreational water areas can pose a health risk, particularly for swimmers. Horowhenua District Council circulated the Red alert after results of testing showed a high level of E.coli in the loop.

Health Protection Officer, Peter Wood says a traffic light code is used to indicate the health risk. “The Red status means swimming could pose a health risk and contact recreation should be avoided. Amber status indicates the area should be satisfactory for swimming, and Green status should be safe for swimming.”

People in the Manawatu District Health Board area can check the status of their favourite swimming sites on the Horizons Regional Council website www.horizons.govt.nz or Waterline freephone (0508)435-663.

As there is a delay between the sampling and reporting of these results, the Public Health Unit recommends people use the following rules of thumb:
- It is safest to wait three days after rain before swimming at river swimming spots.
- If the water looks clean and clear, and it is a sunny day, it should be OK to swim. 
- Keep yourself and any animals away from slimy, unusually earthy or musty smelling, black or dark brown algal mats attached to rocks or floating in the water along river edges.

Possible symptoms of illness from swimming in contaminated water are skin infections, diarrhoea, and cold or flu-like symptoms. The risk is lower for activities, like boating, which do not involve immersion.